![]() They hunt using visual clues, seizing any moving object,īut they will also scavenge opportunistically. Larval and adult predaceous diving beetles feed voraciously on invertebrate and vertebrate Subelytral air chamber that they use for breathing under water, and deflate the thoracic After landing, they bob to the surface, fill a When they return to the water, they crash land in the water because their legs are modified To fly, the adults must first crawl out of the water and fill large thoracic sacs with air. Than alternating legs, and long swimming hairs on their legs propel them through the water.Īdult Dytiscids are wonderfully adapted for both aquatic and terrestrial existence. Recognized in the field by their 'swimming stroke.- They move both hind legs in unison rather The members of the Dytiscidae family come in a wide range of sizes and patterns, but can be There are 500 species described for North America alone. The Dytiscidae are well adapted to aquatic environments, which is evidencedīy the diversity of species. The predaceous diving beetles reign supreme in the vernal pool environment. Predaceous Diving Beetles (Family Dytiscidae) - FACULTATIVE The image to the right is a close-up view of male Eubranchipus vernalis holmani has longerĪntennae with medial serrations. vernalis has straight, smooth antennae, while E. The most frequently encountered species in Pennsylvania Two species of fairy shrimp found in Pennsylvania are the eastern fairy shrimp ( Eubranchipus holmani)Īnd the springtime fairy shrimp ( E. The female second antennae, located between the compound eyes, are short and stout. The females lack this modification of the second antennae. Long trunks from the head and are used to clasp females during copulation. Male fairy shrimp can be identified by their enlarged second antennae, which hang down like They are carrying eggs in their brood pouch. 1990).įairy shrimp males and females are sexually dimorphic. Molts of immature instars, to adult reproduction and finally female egg laying) can occur All stages of the life cycle (from the egg hatching, to numerous Refills, and dissolved oxygen levels are at their peak. ![]() They hatch the following spring when the pool Require a period of dryness in order to hatch. The winter eggs are hard-shelled, withstand freezing and drying, and actually Same season, while winter eggs fall to the bottom of the pool and remain there after the poolĭries up. They can produce two types of eggs summer eggs hatch quickly and the young develop in the Female fairy shrimp lay their eggs before pools dry up. In order to avoid the increasing number of predators that find the pool by summer,įairy shrimp hatch in late winter and early spring, and they can be seen swimming under The second picture (SEM at 200x)ĭepicts the laterally branched setae, which function as oar-like structures. The swimmeret setae of a springtime fairy shrimp ( Eubranchipus vernalis) were photographed with an electron microscope at 30x. These setae increase surface area, which increases mobility and oxygen absorption. Each swimmeret is rimmed with swimming (natatory) setae. Their abdomen terminates with a pair of tail-like cercopods.įairy shrimp swim 'upside-down' on eleven sets of swimming legs that are also used Several stages of development, or instars, in order to reach adulthood.Īnostraca are recognized by having no external shell, two compound eyes, and two sets of antennae. As with other crustaceans, fairy shrimp go through They are also preyed on by a number of other organisms, including salamanders,īeetles, and hemipterans. ![]() They feed on bacteria, microzooplankton, and detritus. Fairy shrimpĪre large-bodied filter feeders that serve as an important link between primary Their oxygen consumption and withstand very low oxygen levels. They are exquisitely adapted to this environment. Fairy Shrimp (Order Anostraca, Family Chirocephalidae) - INDICATORįairy shrimp are found exclusively in temporary pools where fish are absent.
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